Property Tax Rate Needs To Be Fair

September 26, 2005|Marcia Fernandes Deerfield Beach

Save our Homes: Let's pay attention to the core concept.

People should not be taxed out of their homes. All people. I have a homesteaded home, and I greatly appreciate the tax break this provides me. But I also am a Realtor who has seen buyers from out of state leave after discovering how much property taxes are.

I have had to sell two rental properties in the past two years because I could no longer cover increased taxes and insurance and rent at a reasonable rate.

I have an 81-year-old snowbird father who over the last 12 years has seen his 900-square-foot condo go from $2,000 in property taxes to $9,000. If he didn't have my help, he would have had to sell. Meanwhile, his sister next door pays about $3,000 because she is homesteaded.

Politicians, it is up to you to fairly distribute the tax burden. Yet you pander to a strong voting base by considering a new law to allow people to transfer their homestead if they choose to move. This would give further tax reductions to those who already benefit the most. That was not the intent of the original law.

If you live with someone for over seven years, you become a common law spouse. How about if you own a property for over seven years you are entitled to homesteading?

It's time for a new formula that is fair, taking into consideration current realities and less politics, please.